Interview: Sînziana Cojocărescu on The First Year (of the Gaza Genocide in the Media)

BÉZNĂ Theatre’s world premiere The First Year (of the Gaza Genocide in the Media) opens at New Diorama Theatre this week, a multimedia investigation into how mainstream media has reported on Gaza, built from academic research and direct testimony. Ahead of the run, writer-director Sînziana Cojocărescu answered some questions for Red Bus Londinium on bringing together multiple writers’ voices, protecting the wellbeing of a cast working on material close to home, and what she hopes audiences do once they leave the theatre.

Red Bus: This piece was built from testimony, academic research and several different writers’ voices, including one who wishes to remain anonymous. What was the biggest challenge in bringing those different kinds of material together into a single 90-minute production?

Sînziana Cojocărescu: There have been dramaturgical challenges in condensing so much material in a coherent show – we worked with two researchers to conduct interviews, meeting 11 people, but the key is that we haven’t set out to create a “well-made play”, but a bold theatrical investigation. This is a work that contains multiple voices and perspectives, which we find necessary to investigate how the media has reported on the Gaza genocide, and why. We embrace the fact that it’s a varied tapestry. It is a collective effort, and we hope that our audiences will also join our effort, beyond the lifespan of the show.

Red Bus: The press release talks about the gap between what we’re told, what we witness, and what we choose to believe. Is there a particular moment in the show where you feel that gap becomes most visible to the audience?

Sînziana Cojocărescu: The whole show is built on the dichotomy between the tone and language of media reporting, its intended effect, and the testimonies on the ground.

Red Bus: Working on material this close to home for much of the cast and creative team, how did the production look after people’s wellbeing during rehearsals, and did that shape any choices you made along the way?

Sînziana Cojocărescu: Our team’s wellbeing was a concern from the beginning, and we constantly adapted to their needs, from how rehearsals are run to what we decided to keep or omit from the show. We have regular bespoke wellbeing sessions with the Artist Wellbeing Company, as well as individual sessions with a clinical psychologist with whom we have a long-standing relationship, and who not only understands the nature of our work but is specialised in the themes of the show. We are constantly learning how to best support our team, and deliver the desired artistic result in a safe way.

Red Bus: The show comes with an extensive wraparound programme, “But What Can I Do?”, offering training and community engagement alongside the performances. Why was it important to build that in, rather than letting the play stand alone?

Sînziana Cojocărescu: When faced with the enormity of crimes against humanity and institutionalised violences, people often ask this exact question, “But What Can I Do?”. We wanted to offer our audiences clear ways to engage with the cause beyond the show, and introduce artists to the work and methods of our partners Shadow World Investigations and the International State Crime Initiative, in order to encourage them to engage with international law, state crime, and investigating the arms trade and grand corruption in their work. All of our theatrical work is ultimately a call to action.

Red Bus: Now that the production is about to open, what’s the one thing you most hope audiences take away with them when they leave New Diorama?

Sînziana Cojocărescu: We hope audiences will question media narratives, be moved to action and to organise, to resist. To be outspoken in a climate that rewards silence.

BOOKING DETAILS

22 September – 10 October
New Diorama Theatre, 15–16 Triton St, London NW1 3BF
Nearest tube: Warren Street or Great Portland Street.
Tue–Sat 7.30pm, Saturday matinees 3pm. Previews (22–23 Sept)
https://newdiorama.com/whats-on/the-first-year

Like this article? Please stay around to read my reviews: